The Hebrew name Shelemiah, represented by H8018, means thankoffering of Jah. It appears 10 times across 10 unique verses in the Bible and is the name given to nine different Israelites, highlighting its presence during significant periods of Israel's history.
Individuals named Shelemiah are found in various roles, particularly during the time of the prophet Jeremiah and the post-exilic restoration. In the final days of Judah, men connected to this name were officials interacting with Jeremiah. For instance, King Zedekiah H6667 sent Jehucal H3081 the son of Shelemiah to the prophet Jeremiah 37:3. Another Shelemiah was the father of Abdeel H5655, who was commanded by the king to take H3947 both Baruch and Jeremiah Jeremiah 36:26. The name is also associated with gatekeepers and civic leaders. A gatekeeper named Shelemiah was assigned the eastward H4217 gate by lot H1486 1 Chronicles 26:14, while a priest named Shelemiah was appointed as a treasurer over the treasuries H214 by Nehemiah Nehemiah 13:13.
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which individuals named Shelemiah appear:
- H3414 Yirmeyâh (Jeremiah): Multiple men named Shelemiah are connected to the prophet Jeremiah, either as ancestors of his associates or as fathers of the officials who opposed him (Jeremiah 37:3, Jeremiah 37:13, Jeremiah 38:1).
- H3548 kôhên (priest): One Shelemiah was a priest entrusted with significant responsibility as a treasurer during the time of Nehemiah's reforms Nehemiah 13:13.
- H8179 shaʻar (gate): The name is linked to the crucial role of gatekeeping. The lot for the eastward gate fell to Shelemiah 1 Chronicles 26:14, and his grandson, Irijah, was a captain at the gate of Benjamin H1144 Jeremiah 37:13.
- H2388 châzaq (to seize, be strong, repair): The son of a Shelemiah participated in the vital work of restoration, where Hananiah repaired a piece of the Jerusalem wall Nehemiah 3:30.
The significance of H8018 is seen through the diverse roles of the men who bore the name:
- Officials in the Court of Judah: Shelemiah is the name of ancestors to several key figures during Jeremiah's ministry, including Jucal H3116 and Irijah H3376, placing the name in the middle of the political turmoil surrounding the prophet (Jeremiah 38:1, Jeremiah 37:13).
- Guardians of the Temple: In a position of great trust, one Shelemiah was a gatekeeper 1 Chronicles 26:14. Another, a priest H3548, was made a faithful H539 treasurer over the temple storehouses H214 Nehemiah 13:13.
- Participants in Restoration: The name appears among those rebuilding Jerusalem after the exile, with one Shelemiah's son helping to repair H2388 the city wall Nehemiah 3:30. The name is also listed twice among those who had taken foreign wives and were part of Ezra's reforms (Ezra 10:39, Ezra 10:41).
In summary, H8018 Shelemiah is a name associated with service, authority, and covenant life in Israel. While not a single, prominent figure, the name is carried by at least nine individuals who functioned as officials, priests, gatekeepers, and builders. From the tense political climate of Jeremiah's time to the hopeful reconstruction under Nehemiah and Ezra, the name Shelemiah is a recurring thread in the biblical narrative of trial and restoration.
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